Consultation differs from clinical supervision in several ways. In a broad sense, consultation involves a process of advisement that may extend to offering an opinion or recommendation but falls short of issuing a directive that must be followed as would be the case in clinical or administrative supervision. Consultation emphasizes supportive feedback and de-emphasizes evaluation. In other words, participants have neither the power nor purpose to evaluate another's performance and participants have the autonomy to accept or reject the suggestions of others.

Consultation is further distinguished from clinical supervision or training given the quintessential difference related to the legal responsibility for the client (i.e., the consultee bears full responsibility for the client and all decisions related to clinical care). 

Consultation as practiced in health service psychology (HSP) commonly takes the form of clinical case consultation; however, other types of consultation may be offered to address the consultee’s questions and associated client needs. The type of consultation is distinguished by the nature and focus, which helps determine the knowledge, skills and approach.

In addition to the types of consultation listed in the section above, TASC collaborates with other licensed professionals and practices to host a monthly consultation group. This small group is free to join and hosted virtually the last Wednesday of the month. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an inquiry form to join!

A growing body of empirical evidence supports contributions of professional consultation, with benefits at the individual level and in professional practice. At the individual level, benefits include decreased isolation, along with increased self-confidence and self-direction. In professional practice, consultation has been shown to increase levels of empathy, respect, genuineness, and concreteness, along with improved goal setting and direction in sessions. Professionals who provide supervision and participation in consultation have been shown to have increased mutual, cooperative participation in supervision sessions and more frequently use modeling as a teaching and learning technique. Likewise, the relationship created between consultants offers opportunities for different types of experiences than may be had with designated supervisors or within formal supervision. 

Individuals can expect to establish interpersonal connections through consultation. You can also expect to have a place to discuss challenging cases, gain new insights, and receive support. Consultation involves sharing ideas about building and maintaining a practice, exploring counter-transference issues, sharing helpful interventions and resources, gaining new perspectives on the work we do, and exploring ethical or diversity issues. Most commonly, individuals conclude consultation with the necessary tool to advance clinical work and get “unstuck” with clients.

Individual consultation sessions are generally 60-minutes in duration and billed at the equivalent of one individual psychotherapy session. Pricing is subject to vary, especially for those who initiate a course or ongoing consultation, which usually occurs on a monthly basis. Individuals who participate in ongoing consultation have access to Dr. Grusecki for ongoing support between sessions at no additional cost.

As mentioned, TASC collaborates with other licensed professionals and practices to host a monthly consultation group. This small group is free to join. Submit an inquiry if interested in joining.